Israeli Strikes Continue in Gaza Despite Trump’s Appeal for Bombing Halt

Israeli air raids struck Gaza through the night on Friday, hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged Israel to “immediately stop bombing” the enclave to facilitate the safe release of hostages.

Local officials in Gaza reported several casualties and extensive destruction after fresh strikes hit densely populated neighborhoods. Emergency teams continued rescue operations as families were left scrambling for safety amid the renewed escalation.

Trump’s intervention came after Hamas announced conditional acceptance of parts of his recently unveiled 20-point peace plan, including the release of Israeli hostages and the transfer of Gaza’s administration to a neutral technocratic authority. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed Israel was ready to move forward with the first phase of the plan, which prioritizes the recovery of hostages. However, the statement stopped short of committing to an immediate halt in air operations.

The continued bombardment underscores the gap between political announcements and military realities on the ground. While Trump has positioned himself as a broker capable of ending the conflict, Israel maintains that security concerns and pressure on Hamas remain its immediate priorities.

The strikes came at a moment of heightened international scrutiny, with humanitarian groups warning that the crisis in Gaza has reached breaking point, as food, water, and medical supplies run critically low. Regional powers have cautiously welcomed Trump’s proposal but remain wary of its long-term viability, especially in the absence of clear enforcement mechanisms.

Analysts note that the next few days will be crucial in determining whether diplomatic momentum builds toward a ceasefire or whether Israel’s military campaign will continue unabated, prolonging the humanitarian toll in Gaza.